Wine
Shining a Spotlight on Independent Wine Producers
Part 1
August 23, 2023
European wine enthusiasts are likely more familiar with the concept of “independent wineries” than many Americans are. And while you may not have heard the phrase “independent winery” until now, there’s a good chance that you’re already familiar with some of the subgenres of independent wineries: family-owned wineries, boutique wineries, small-batch or craft wineries, estate wineries, micro wineries, and more.
At any given price point, many of the highest quality wines will have been produced by independent wineries. They invest their resources almost exclusively toward making exceptional wine, leaving few dollars to spend on brand awareness and distribution, making it difficult for people to discover such great wines.
At Sommsation, we believe that the distinction between wines produced by independent wineries and mass-market producers is just as important as the distinction between white and red wines. Not only do they produce some of the most highly-rated wines in the country, they also craft truly unique wines that you’ve likely yet to discover.
So grab a glass and follow us to hidden gem wineries, and find out what makes independent wineries worth exploring.
Most wines available to consumers across standard access channels are mass-produced. Over 15% of wine consumed around the world comes from just ten producers – which is a relatively small amount when you consider how much wine we drink. Most store-bought wines are made at scale—widely distributed to grocery stores and national wine retail shops—which doesn’t mean they’re bad. It just means there’s less hands-on work and personalization put into each bottle.
An independent winery, on the other hand, operates autonomously and without the constraints of the more commercial side of the industry. By being independently owned, they inherently produce wines without significant external interference. They are frequently family owned, multi generational, passion fueled businesses that are focused on quality, artisanship and storytelling - truly independent producers that craft wines based on their individuality and a strong connection to their particular region.
Many of our independent winery partners produce fewer than 10,000 cases of wine annually, giving vintners an opportunity to truly tailor their wines to the nuances of the terroir and the vintage, transporting you directly to the vineyard with each sip. When you drink wines from these limited-production wineries, you’re treating yourself to an intentionally crafted experience typically found only in their tasting rooms.
Winemakers at independently owned wineries frequently have decades of hands-on experience, and they’re intimately familiar with the terroir, giving them the advantage of local knowledge and insights not often found in mass-marketed wines. The amalgamation of tradition with innovation tells the winemaker’s unique story for each wine, inviting wine enthusiasts to experience something truly unique in each bottle.
A commercial California winery that makes Cabernet Sauvignon might source grapes from growers across the state, and produce 100,000 cases of wine that broadly reflects one region—or the entire state— and use methods in the winemaking to produce a consistent profile year after year.
Our winery partners focus on smaller production wines, sourced from specific appellations like Howell Mountain. For instance, Fleury Estate has four estate vineyards, one of which is located on Howell Mountain where they produce a single-vineyard Cabernet. They might release two (or more) very different wines made from the same grape grown in the same region. For instance they craft one Cabernet Sauvignon that includes grapes sourced from various parts of the Napa Valley while creating another that uses grapes from a single block on their Howell Mountain Vineyard, with the goal of highlighting the strengths of each vineyard, and that year’s vintage, in each bottle.
That deep knowledge of the terroir allows winemakers like Connor Fleury, who manages the winery with his father Brian, at Fleury Estate Winery in Napa, to continue innovating. For the first time this year, the cult Cabernet Sauvignon producer will make a rosé, a methode traditionelle sparkling wine—and maybe even a brandy.
Our winery partners often have close relationships with other businesses in their locale, working with trusted grape growers and compelling vineyard sites to source the best grapes to make their vision come to life.
Autonomy over winemaking, intimate knowledge of the terroir, and dedicated artisanship aren’t the only aspects of independent wineries that make them worth exploring.
Read Part 2 in our series shining a spotlight on smaller wine producers.
Explore our 40+ independent wineries and taste for yourself why wineries driven by passion, with a deep commitment to quality, really do rise above the rest.
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We’re not just here to meet your shopping needs either. Our sommeliers, averaging 15+ years of experience, are here to guide you through a variety of curated wine experiences, and can also give you advice on collection and cellar management.
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